After storming out of the great hall without explanation, Hermione spent the rest of the day hidden in the library as Harry and Ron packed their trunk in the Gryffindor tower. She couldn't tell Ron she would miss him in fear that he would change his mind and stay at Hogwarts for her. Not only would he be stuck doing homework but his life would also be in danger. She was buried behind a giant pile of books but was too distracted to read, so she leaned behind the books to spy on the reason she couldn't concentrate.

Draco Malfoy.

Hermione and Draco hadn't spoken since their argument in the library after the incident in the forest with Terence and the deatheaters. Malfoy who had been laying low until then had suddenly become more popular in the slytherin house atleast. The school seemed to have redirected their hate towards Richard Carter instead.

With his feet on a few books and his back resting on the wall, Draco Malfoy was boasting loudly about their Quidditch match against Hufflepuff Which had taken place a little after Gryffindor's rematch with Ravenclaw and how they won only because of Malfoy. Few other slytherin girls listened to him admiringly as he spoke. Even Hermione couldn't help but admire how much more attractive he had become since he came back from London. He was no longer daddy's boy, with his hair growing longer and more rugged, a slight stubble had formed on his chin which he stroked often with his finger.

"I'm telling you, this year's Quidditch cup will have the Slytherin house name on it." Malfoy said.

"All you have to do is beat Potter and we will win the cup." said one of the Slytherin girls in a high pitch voice, batting her eyelashes at him.

"I don't have to beat Potter, I'm now a chaser remember? My job is to send the quaffle through the goals and I am an excellent shot." Malfoy said with a flirty little wink.

Hermione finally decided it was better for her to leave unnoticed than to get caught listening to Malfoy boast, she hurriedly grabbed her books to leave when the pile that hid her went tumbling to the ground and everyone turned to stare at her.

Going red in the face again, Hermione avoided Malfoy's eye which was fixed on her as she waved her wand to stack up the books into a neat pile before she walked out of the library, nose in the air.

*******

"We'll stop by the Burrow first and pick up some things. I don't want our first days as Aurors to be in these." Ron said indicating the pile of old school robes and other robes hastily dumped into his trunk. Harry laughed as he threw some of his books into the trunk.

"Don't worry about the DA. We will keep a close eye on Terrence for you." Neville said leaning against his bedpost, arms crossed and watching them pack.

"I'm sure Hermione can take care of the DA." Ron said and Neville frowned.

"I'm more than capable of handling the DA. I did it when you three went off in hiding. It was the darkest time at Hogwarts too!"

"No offence meant, mate!" Ron said surprised by Neville's sudden outburst. "I only said that because it was Hermione's idea to start it in the first place."

Neville loosened his arms which he didn't realise tightened in anger. He couldn't explain why he was feeling so upset about Harry and Ron leaving. Perhaps because Hannah was leaving too. She said she was going home for the holidays and didn't invite him. He felt a little left out considering it was their first Christmas together since they first came together.

Pulling himself out of his train of thought, Neville threw himself onto his bed and changed the topic of conversation. "What will you do when you get to the Ministry?"

"I expect they will give us assignments. I'm not sure what kind though, Hestia Jones will decide that." Harry said.

"Hestia Jones? My grandmother said she is very soft and likeable old witch. I don't think she meant it in a nice way." Neville said.

"I'm sure this is only a temporary arrangement. Just until we are ready to report to the head of the Auror department." Ron said shooting Harry a sideways glance.

"We've met Hestia Jones. She was part of the Advance Guard and is in the Order of Phoenix." Harry reminded him. He didn't know her much but their short interactions were pleasant enough not to worry.

There was a soft pat on the window and they all turned to see an owl, shivering but determinedly holding on to the letter in its beak.

"Poor thing!" Neville said getting to his feet to help the bird in. "It's for you Ron." Neville said handing over the letter to Ron before carrying the owl to the common room fireplace to warm him up.

"Oh no!" Ron moaned looking at the letter in his hand.

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"It's her again." Ron said holding up the pink envelope ripping it open. "I thought she had finally given up on me."

Harry waited patiently for Ron to finish reading it before grabbing the letter from his hands as he sank to the floor in despair.

My Dearest Ron,

It seemed we have forces working against us. I understand this is why you have been unable to respond to my owls. It's cruel how we are forced to be apart but worry not my love, for I will find a way to bring us together.

Harry looked up to see Ron's face buried in his hands, his ears pink.

"I don't know why she thinks we are lovers." Ron told Harry. "I swear I haven't sent her any more owls."

"She is just a crazy fan. Don't worry about it." Harry said and going back to the letter.

I know you will be leaving Hogwarts to become an Auror. I'm proud of you even though I know 'she' is responsible for your departure. But I fear this will be my last owl until we meet. Perhaps at Christmas. London in snow is simply magnificent.

Until then, I love you,
Yours forever,
Lisa Conner.

"Who do you think she means by 'she'?" Harry asked Ron.

"McGonagal?" Ron said shrugging "she probably thinks McGonagal is sending us to the ministry in the middle of the school year."

"She is just a nutter. It's best to stay away from her." Harry said folding the letter and giving it back to Ron.

"I didn't do anything!" Ron said "now she wants to meet me?" Then he paused for a moment and said "Don't tell Hermione about this. She would think I sent her more secret owls."

"She wouldn't think that way, besides, she needs to know about it." Harry said "Atleast the part where she knows about you moving to London."

"Why?"

"Because nobody apart from the DA and McGonagal knows we are leaving. How did she find out?" Harry said.

*******

It was dinner time at the great hall when Hermione finally joined Harry and Ron at the table. Her mood did not seem to have improved but she did not lash out at Ron when he showed her the letter. She did panic a little as they discussed how Lisa Conner managed to find out they were leaving.

"Perhaps our owls are being intercepted." She said thoughtfully. "I suppose it doesn't matter anymore."

"It doesn't?" Ron asked looking bewildered.

"You are leaving to join the ministry, it's not like she can just show up to the Ministry to see you." She said. Harry and Ron exchanged nervous glances but kept silent.

"If our letters are indeed being intercepted; then I want you both to write to me in code. What you do at the ministry must be kept secret at all times." Hermione told them bossily. "She is definitely going to try and contact you in London so be careful."

"Careful? She just sends me owls!" Ron said. Hermione narrowed her eyes at him. "It always starts with owls, Ron. If you arent careful you could end up worse than dead."

Ron remained unusually quiet the rest of the night. Even as they went to bed he stayed quiet. Harry was exhausted and fell asleep almost instantly. Ron stayed awake as he lay on the bed and staring at the ceiling. He didn't even realise at first that the ceiling became blurry but then he heard a low voice speak. The speaking was incoherent but Ron realised he couldn't move. He fought so hard to move that he couldn't breathe. Finally he stopped trying to move, trying to take a deep breath, but it seemed impossible. He couldn't make a sound as his eyes began to water and beads of sweat formed all over his body.

His ears were ringing but he could still hear someone scream his name. There was a crash and suddenly he could breath again.

Ron rolled out of the bed and fell on the floor, standing on all fours and breathing heavily.

"Who was that?" He heard Harry ask someone, there was movement around the room as everyone in the room was now awake and in panic. A pair of soft and warm hands came to comfort Ron and helped him back onto his bed. His vision cleared and the blurry figure came into focus. It was Hermione.

"Oh Ron! It's a good thing I came to check on you." She said.

"How did you know?" Harry asked but Ron didn't care. He was so happy she was there and pulled her into a sweaty hug.

******

Hey guys!!!

Who do you think came to attack Ron? Does that paralytic spell they used on him sound familiar ??

Hope you liked this chapter... will release the final chapter this week!
Have a great one!
<3<3